Youth Engagement

Environmental Justice Leadership Fellowship

Location: Vacaville
Commitment: 12 weeks (January 2023-March 2023)
Stipend: $150 monthly
Application deadline: December 2022

Fellowship participants will study environmental data for the local community, discuss the environmental challenges and potential solutions for their communities, and participate in four hands-on workshops to help beautify the Rocky Hill Trail while planting native plants and capturing rainwater to mitigate some of those challenges. They will use what they have learned to shape community presentations on the environmental challenges and potential solutions.

Weekly meetings are planned for 5 pm Thursdays, starting Jan. 19.
(This program includes the certification material as part of the Fellowship.)

Apply here

Youth Air Protectors

Location: Fairfield
Commitment: 20 weeks (October 2022-March 2023; this is the first of three cohorts)
Stipend: $150 monthly
Application deadline: Applications are currently closed, but students can apply for the next session.

Air Protectors will research the air quality challenges for their communities, create outreach campaigns and support community-based projects centered around air quality, including air sensor installation and air quality mitigation projects, such as planting trees or improving community spaces to make them more appealing for foot and bike transportation. Participants will help create an air quality plan for the City of Fairfield that incorporates what they have learned through research and community engagement.

Weekly meetings will rotate between in-person at the Fairfield Civic Center Library and online. Meetings are 5-6 pm Wednesdays. Planned start date: Oct. 5
(This program includes the certification material as part of the schedule.)

Apply here

Solano Gardens Urban Ag Internships

Location: Fairfield (Various locations throughout the county will follow)
Commitment: 12 weeks starting Jan. 16
Stipend: $150 monthly
Application deadline: Jan. 6, 2023

Interns will learn multiple ways of growing food and gain valuable food production experience. Interns will learn plant needs, methods of planting and harvesting, crop planning, composting and market gardening. They will gain insight into permaculture the Soil Food Web and square-foot gardening. They will help establish and maintain community garden hubs that empower and support communities traditionally without access to fresh food.

Apply here

Solano Sustainable Backyards Internships

Location: Fairfield (Other locations throughout the county will follow)
Commitment: 10-12 hours/month for 12 weeks (October 2022-January 2023)
Stipend: $150 monthly
Application deadline: Positions are currently filled, but applications can be submitted for the next internship session.

Interns will gain a basic understanding of permaculture, learn how to install and maintain sustainable landscapes, build healthy soil, capture rainwater and reuse household greywater when appropriate. They will also participate in community engagement. They will help to install demonstration food forest gardens, promote events, support at events, write about the experience and work on a small project related to sustainable landscapes.

Apply here

Benicia Community Gardens Internships

Location: Benicia
Commitment: 12 weeks (Dates to be determined)
Stipend: $150 monthly
Application deadline: Positions are currently filled, but applications can be submitted for when there is an opening.

Benicia Community Gardens has two garden sites, Avant and Swenson, and the Benicia Community Orchard, all conveniently located within walking distance. These gardens offer an opportunity for local residents to rent garden beds, and provide a special community gathering space. Interns will support the role of these gardens within the Benicia community, helping to keep them healthy and beautiful, while also exploring ways to share about the gardens with community members and recruit volunteers to help with maintenance. These internships not only offer hands-on gardening experience, but also a way to take on a leadership role in the community.

Apply here

Solano Gardens Youth Culinary Arts Internships

Location: Vacaville (other locations throughout the county will follow)
Commitment: 12 weeks (Oct. 18, 2022-Jan. 17, 2023)
Stipend: $150 monthly
Application deadline: Applications are currently closed, but students can apply for future sessions.

Interns will learn how to prepare fresh local food, explore concepts of food as medicine, and help us pilot a prepared food enterprise in the county. Interns will grow their comfort in the kitchen and learn basic food preparation skills, and explore concepts of food nutrition and recipe creation. We will work together to cook in large batches and interns will take food home after class to be shared with their communities. Students will receive their food handler’s card through our coursework.

Weekly meetings will be held from 4-6 pm Tuesdays at Ulatis Community Center in Vacaville. Interns will also participate in a weekend field trip to a local farm. Participants are encouraged to join the Oct. 16 certification session.

Apply here

Local Food Cooking & Outreach Internships

Location: Various locations throughout the county
Commitment: 14-16 weeks (Dates to be determined)
Stipend: $150 monthly
Application deadline: Applications will open in November 2022

Interns will learn about the larger local food system, Solano farmers operating within that
system, and how to prepare healthy, seasonal produce. They will learn how to teach others about Solano-grown specialty crops (fruit, vegetables, nuts and herbs). They will participate in an immersive culinary training course, design a creative message about specialty crops that will be shared with young audiences, and teach one or two simple classes to either their peers or a younger audience.

Apply here